Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 17 mai 1885, 14e Année, No. 698: Jupons & Corsets (...) 1885

This is A. Chaillot’s 1885 print from the ‘Revue de la Mode’, displaying designs for women’s corsets and undergarments. The immediate impression is one of elaborate artifice, achieved through layered textures and the controlled asymmetry of its composition. The artist presents two figures, each showcasing an exaggerated silhouette achieved by corsetry, juxtaposing curvilinear forms of draped fabric against rigid lines of tailoring. Note how the color palette – muted reds, blues, and creams – enhance the tactile quality of the garments, drawing the viewer's eye to the intricate detailing of lace and floral ornamentation. The structural tension between exposure and concealment destabilizes conventional notions of modesty, revealing instead a staged performance of femininity. Consider how the print meticulously presents fashion as both a spectacle and a constructed identity. This reflects broader social and cultural codes that defined women’s roles during the late 19th century. It's a reminder that art does not offer a single, immutable truth but is part of an ongoing dialogue.